Students Teaching Students at Grinnell College Libraries

Have you ever needed to know how many books you had checked out from the library, or which database to use for a particular subject or class?

The Libraries have trained the 40+ students already working at service desks in Burling (circulation, Listening Room, and the Iowa Room) and Kistle Science Libraries to serve as Peer Information Advisors (PIAs). These students, as well as their desk supervisors, can now help with a range of commonly asked research questions—such as the two listed above.

The Libraries have also trained three students as Reference Assistants (or RAs) who can help with more advanced research inquires. Look for our RAs on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at Burling’s reference desk; the RAs will also be available from 10 pm-12 midnight on Sunday thru Thursday evenings.

And please send any comments or suggestions on these new services to Phil Jones [jonesphi] or Beth Bohstedt [bohstedt].

Library Student Assistants Honor Cinema’s “Golden Year”

1939 was a monumental year for cinema. Some historians have minted it as the greatest year in film history. Indeed, some of the 20th Century’s most memorable titles, including Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, came out during that year. The selections for 1939’s Oscars were so great that instead of the normal five nominations for Best Picture, ten films were nominated in this category.

Throughout November, student assistants from Burling Library’s Listening Room are honoring the seventieth anniversary of this memorable year in cinema by creating posters, presentations, and displays about films released in 1939. Be sure to check out the display of books on the first floor of Burling about the political, social, and cultural landscape that inspired the explosion of excellent cinema during this historic year. Related projects by Listening Room student assistants are also on display in the Listening Room and on the library’s first floor. The topics, ranging from censorship in 1939 films to film directors, are listed in more detail below.

The Libraries will co-sponsor an evening of “Pizza and a Movie” with SGA Films and the Student Government Association on Thursday, November 19th, at 7:00 pm in the Forum South Lounge. The featured film is one of 1939’s finest, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Appetizers, pizza, and beverages will be provided, and the event is free and open to the public. (Organized by Madeleine Allen ’10 and Rachel Smith ’11)

Other presentations are:

“Then & Now” (Katie Jones ’10) – Series of posters that compare how musicals, westerns and gangster movies have changed from 1939 to more recent releases. Highlights continuity and changes in those genres over the years. Location: Listening Room near the public computer terminal.

“The Good, The Bad, and the Censored” (Molly Kennedy ’11) -- An examination of films that either broke, cleverly bent or followed the “Hays Code” production guidelines that had been implemented just five years earlier. Presents a wide range of examples and what, if any, consequences resulted from those code violations. Location: Center of first floor book display.

“1939 Movie Posters” (Susan Kikuchi ’11) -- Examines advertisements from the three top grossing films of that year, with reproductions of each poster and a short analysis of the advertising schemes used. Specifically, it addresses target audience and strategic visual cues used to convey information about the films. Location: Window near the first floor entry to Burling.

“1939: The Arrival of Color to Movie Mainstream” (Michele Moore ’10) -- Presentation discussing the history of the use of color in films, obstacles to its use, its presence in the feature films, The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind, and why mainstream films continued to be produced in black & white for decades after the process proved to be technically and commercially successful. URL: http://www.lib.grinnell.edu/collections/1939a.pdf.

“The Hays Code and the Films of 1939” (Thanh Nguyen ’12) – Explains what the Hays Production Code was and why it was created. Lists guidelines of the code. Locations: First floor display area and Listening Room.

“The Golden Year of Hollywood: An Analysis of Socio-Political Factors Contributing to the Success of the 1939 Motion Pictures” (Musa Rahman ’10) – Poster addresses some of the reasons why 1939 was such a successful year for film and explores the political and social backdrop of the time. Location: First floor book display.

“Victor Fleming: Hollywood’s Golden Director” (Andrew Stephenson ’10) -- Director Victor Fleming's steady hand oversaw the completion of both The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind. Poster discusses why Fleming replaced directors who had proceeded him and includes some interesting anecdotes about the director’s interactions with actor Judy Garland and his role in the development of the screenplay for Gone with the Wind. Location: Listening Room near the public computer terminal.

Project brochure (Caitlin Vaughan ’10) – Description of the 1939 Project including the purpose of the project and short descriptions of the 1939 films the Listening Room has in its collection. Includes a list of the other Listening Room student assistants and summary of their project presentations. Locations: First floor display area and Listening Room.

Grinnell College Libraries' Self Study Update: Comments are Welcome

The External Reviewers' report has been posted. The Libraries are beginning work on a response, which will be submitted to Executive Council in Spring 2010. We welcome comments (http://www.lib.grinnell.edu/feedback.html) from students, faculty, and staff on the Reviewers' report or our Self Study. As our response develops we will be consulting with our SEPC, the Instructional Support Committee, and other partners on campus. Thank you for your engagement.

Monday, December 14, Ipod Rave for Study Breaks @ Burling

The libraries and Library SEPC are hosting an Ipod RAVE for Study Breaks @ Burling, Monday night, December 14 at 9:00 PM, Northwest Corner of Burling 1st floor. Contact [odonogh] or [schneide2] for a playlist, load the songs onto your mp3 device, and come take a break to dance and to enjoy homemade cookies and milk (or just dance or just enjoy cookies and milk) at Burling. Study Breaks with Cookies and Milk also Tuesday and Wednesday Night at 9:00 p.m. Same location.

Questions? Contact [stuhrr], [gilbertk], [schneide2], and [odonogh]

Tuesday Night, December 15, Study Breaks @ Burling: Improv!!

Take a break from studying and relax with Grinnell's own Improv Troupe. Enjoy homemade cookies and milk at the same time. The Libraries and the Library SEPC invite you to take a break at Burling Library's first floor Northwest Corner (around the corner from the entrance), Tuesday evening, December 15, 9:00 PM.

Study Breaks will also take place on Monday and Wednesday at the same time and place. IPOD Rave on Monday night, Swing Dance Club performs on Wednesday night.

Questions? Contact [stuhrr], [gilbertk], or [isaadani]

Wednesday Afternoon, December 16, Study Breaks @ Burling: Meditative Yoga

Minna Mahlab will lead a 30 minute session of meditative yoga in Burling Library, Wednesday of finals week, 2:00 p.m. Take a study break and refresh your body and renew your mind. Exact location within the library to be determined. Come a little before 2:00 PM and we will get you to the right spot. Questions? contact [stuhrr]

Wednesday Night, December 16 Study Breaks @ Burling: Swing Dance!

The libraries and Library SEPC are hosting Grinnell College's Swing Dance Club for Study Breaks @ Burling, Wednesday night, December 16 at 9:00 PM, Northwest Corner of Burling 1st floor. Six couples from the Swing Dance Club will be performing. Come enjoy the entertainment and enjoy homemade cookies and milk at Burling. Study Breaks with Cookies and Milk also Monday and Tuesday Night at 9:00 p.m. Same location.

Questions? Contact [stuhrr], [gilbertk], [rideoutm]

Fall Semester Events Hosted by the Libraries

Come join us for Wednesday Nights @ Burling, a series of events that showcase the talents of local writers, singers, and musicians!

September 1, Tuesday night at 7:30pm—Prairie Reading: Below the Surface: A Reading of Prairie Texts. Refreshments will be served.
Location: Faulconer Gallery

September 16, Wednesday night at 7:45pm—Dan McCue: When News Breaks the Daily Show Fixes It: The role and importance of political satire. Refreshments will be served.
Location: First floor, Burling Library

October 28, Wednesday night at 7:45pm—Grinnell High School Students Read Poetry at Burling; David Paige, Grinnell College and Bill Rudolph, Grinnell High School, Instructors. Refreshments will be served.
Location: First floor, Burling Library

November 5, Thursday night at 7:45pm—Open Mic: Music, Poetry, Prose. Refreshments will be served.
Location: Faulconer Gallery

November 24, Tuesday night at 4:15pm-Darwin Group Reading to Mark the 150th Anniversary of the Origin of Species. The Libraries and Biology will be hosting a group reading from the works of Darwin. Refreshments will be served.
Location: First floor, Burling Library

December 2, Wednesday night at 7:45pm—Students from the Craft of Poetry read their Poetry at Burling; Ralph Savarese, Instructor. Refreshments will be served.
Location: First floor, Burling Library